Can Blue Collar and White Collar Do Church Together? Part Two
The following is the second in a two-part abridgement of a sermon preached by Andrew Beddoe, MTS Blue Collar Apprenticeships Coordinator & Trainer.
Our last blog sought to answer the question of whether blue collar and white collar can do church together. The post then covered four ways in which blue collar people could make a positive difference to the church. But how do we get this ball rolling? How do we get blue collar and white collar people uniting and serving together?
Here are six goals I want to suggest for developing a more inclusive church:
1. Love people well.
1 Peter 4:8 implores the church to “love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” No matter the cultural blunders you might make in relating to blue collar people, they will be overlooked by people who feel genuinely loved by you.
2. Remember we are all equal in Christ.
As we are reminded in Galatians 3:23-26, there is no class system in the Kingdom of God. There is no place for pride or thinking of ourselves as better than anyone else.
3. Be Humble.
In Philippians 2:1-11 we are called to value others and their interests above ourselves. So carry out ministry in a way that cares for blue collar people, even if it is not your preferred way of operating. For instance, blue collar people are not as dependent on email and SMS as white collar people. So call or speak to them in person! Take that step to relate to them well, looking out for their interests over your own.
4. Value the different gifts God has given his church.
The resounding truth of 1 Corinthians 12 is that we need to value all people and gifts God has given the church. So encourage godly and competent blue collar people to lead the service, have a crack at writing a Bible study, or coordinating a childrens’ ministry team. Ask for their ideas and value their opinions. And following on from this…
5. Train blue collar Christian leaders.
God gives the right character, conviction and competency for ministry to all kinds of people, so when a blue collar person is demonstrating these, train them! Get alongside them in their ministry, and even encourage them to consider a Blue Collar MTS Apprenticeship.
6. Become like a blue collar person to win blue collar people.
As Paul describes becoming a Jew to the Jews in 1 Corinthians 9, we too should become like the blue collar person to win them to Christ. Invest in understanding what each blue collar person’s life is like. Find out what makes them tick, how they learn best, how they teach best, all the while being real about your own life too.
Not only does the power of the gospel mean blue collar and white collar people can do church together, they should do church together! It is vital for our witness in this world. Will you commit to developing a more inclusive church?